Album
Type:
Album
Date
Released:
16 December 2014
Label:
Good
Die Young Music/Encapsulated Records
The
Wind Takes A Side – Track Listing
1.Superstition Drags
Us Down 10:20
2.Not All Dying
Words Are True 08:31
3.Invisible Wires
02:46
4.The Wind Takes a
Side 09:58
Bio
Indie-Rock,
Post-Rock, Metal influenced instrumental band from St. Louis, MO.
Members
Guitar - Chris
Denton
Guitar - Ian Mahan
Guitar - David
Miller
Bass - Dave Goodman
Drums - Thad Martin
Review:
Ashes
And Iron first released their debut release – Silens – back in
2008. It has slowly started to receive great reviews over the past 6
years or so. I even featured them in 2011 when I started the blog.
Ashes And Iron play Instrumental Sludge/Post-Metal music with a
strong ambient current proving this band have a haunting identity of
their own. It has been a long time coming but Ashes And Iron are back
with their 2nd release – The Wind Takes A Side. A 31-minute album
that highlights that why I have missed Ashes And Iron so much.
Nothing much has changed from their last emotionally charged album as
Ashes And Iron continue their epic Doom and Gloom approach as it
leaves you with a feeling of tranquillity and hope.
Opening
track – Superstition Drags Us Down – is a heavy laiden
post-metal affair, which sees Ashes And Iron combine post-rock
dream-like soundscapes with the heavier Sludge/Post-Metal approach
that gives the album a real sense of urgency and self-awareness you
rarely find. It is a beautifully written and played track. However,
the little things such as ambient noises that you miss give the song
a real emotional edge. Ashes and Iron don’t hold back moving from
blissful post-rock euphoria to the heavier and more destructive
post-metal carnage they have bottled up for the last 6 years or so.
2nd
track – Not All Dying Words Are True – starts off as a soothing
post-rock interlude with traces of ambient noises mixed with
world-weary keyboard sounds slowly building up the atmosphere before
the band destroy everything in sight when they switch to their
heavier musical identities. The song pulls no punches as it makes you
feel all lost and alone in the world. It is an intelligent offering
that fans of Pelican and Russian Circles go crazy for. The song may
start very gloomy but it ends on a more positive note with the band
offering brief glimpses of hope within their music.
3rd
track – Invisible Wires – is a short 3-minute interlude with the
band venturing into experimental post-rock/ambient style of sounds.
It is an intriguing song though one that does not really go anywhere
as the other songs run from 8 to 10 mins in length. It does not have
enough time for the listener to become emotionally involved with song
compared to the other tracks on the album. Though I will admit, there
are some great ambient noises to admire here.
The
final track – The Wind Takes A Side – is no doubt the standout
track from the album, as Ashes And Iron pull no punches where the
music is concerned. It is a heavy and emotionally charged track right
from the start. It has the right mix of Post-Rock, Post-Metal and
experimental Ambient sounds that combine for the musical equivalent
to a sharp kick to the head. It is a powerful musical odyssey that
had me playing song on multiple listens, as it is a highly addictive
song that will leave you in a hypnotic trance. The instrumental work
is excellent through out, as the band impress yet again, where it
matters most.
The
Wind Takes A Side is a stunning album that will appeal to all fans of
Instrumental Rock/Metal. It’s a shame the album didn’t have one
more epic song to close with as 31 minutes isn’t enough for a band
like Ashes And Iron. I hope it is not another 6 years for their next
release. My advice is to buy this album now, as it is a must-have
record.
Check
out their excellent debut record – Silens – from 2008. It ‘s
available for free download.
Thanks
to Ashes And Iron for the promo. The Wind Takes A Side is available
to buy on DD/Vinyl from Good Die Young Music/Encapsulated Records
Words
by Steve Howe
For
more information
